leatha_g

READ, READ, READ - there are many many answers to all these questions throughout the threads of this forum. All free for the taking, with many different variations on all topics. Soak it all up .. this is YOUR life!!

174 this morning. HOWEVER, I'm working out doing Aqua aerobics, I'm hoping that's muscle and I'll soon see some weight loss. I know I'm seeing inch loss already!

Read, read, read every thread you can possibly get your hands on. Research is absolutely the best thing you can do to prepare yourself for the whole experience. There is LOTS of experience here, good and not so good. You need to know it all.... Good luck!

Michelle, you are a beautiful BEFORE AND AFTER. I understand what you're saying, but God just made you beautiful no matter what the situation. Hugs gf, and good luck to you! Keep on keeping on!

Yessum. That 'pink cloud' of romanticism does blind us to the 'what ifs' before banding. So many say they have researched and researched, yet, 3 weeks out they wonder all the sudden, why they're not losing weight, or why they can suddenly eat as much as pre-band. Problems? What problems? No one said anything about slippage? Erosion? What's that? Even though they've read the literature given by their docs, they say they didn't know they were supposed to stay on liquids for 2 weeks, 4 weeks and eat pizza or a burger instead? Kinda like infatution, isn't it? All you see is the good stuff, then you wake up with someone who has some interesting drawbacks.... but, nobody told you so.. I think we all just want an answer to our dilemma so badly that those things seem minor until they get close to our own doorstep.

Any idea where she was banded??

If this doctor is not used to doing EGD's with banded patients, you need to really be careful, or see if there is some way to get an unfill for the EGD. You don't want anymore damage than you already have. Just so you know, after your EGD you will have a pretty sore throat and a very swollen uvula - that hangy downy thing in the back of your throat. After a few days it'll be better but it's rather annoying at first. Good luck to you!

I'm thinking Ms Lisa Green needs to be posting with new pics and updates on what she's been up to..... (standing with hand on hips.)

If they do an EGD and code it as GERD or Reflux etc, then it is not directly associated with the band. Your insurance should cover that type of testing. Of course, your DR should already know that.. Sorry you're having so much trouble. This too shall pass...

Mine says the rest of the day after the fill.

Good luck !

:hungry: :hungry: :hungry: Mmmmmmmmmm.. Sammich...:funscale:

I'm here! I lost down to 172.4 first week in January and I'm back to 175 and between again, HOWEVER.. I started aqua aerobics AND I went to my closet this weekend and clothes I've had bought for over a year and been unable to wear NOW FIT!! So, again, maybe I'm working on toning and building muscle and my body is just compacting until the new muscle starts helping to burn the fat. We'll see with a few more aerobics classes and I see a personal trainer this evening so I'm TURNING UP THE VOLUME on exercise. If I never lose another lb, I FEEL GREAT!!

:dance: We love collarbones..

here in the dfw metroplex, there is lots and lots of classes at local nightclubs. some for free, some like $10. there are also classes by different groups, like $29 for 3 weeks, etc. go to yahoo groups, see if there are local 'dance' announcement or groups there. i found lots in dfw. also, just try a search for 'dance lessons houston' or any variation thereof.. just some things i did to find local classes in my area.. Have fun!

Just remember, the people who do all that writing are dwelling on those things instead of getting out and rebuking them. Alot of them hypochondriacal and wallowing in their diagnosis, some their whole lives. Attitude is 90% of ANYTHING.. It's tough, been there, done that.. absorbed every single thing I could read, even psychologically took myself to lots of those places, then clawed my way back to MY OWN reality.. It's much better in the sunshine.. I'll pray that you get good news.. and if the news isn't the best, I'll pray that you are blessed with the peace and strength that exists to live with it and move forward..

I'm short waisted. The first year it was pretty hard for me to wear jeans with a very tight waist-band. Even today, 2.5 yrs out, if I sit bent for too long or wear too tight waist, I'll still get sore on occasion. Some exercise also tends to make me tender, but good news.. you're port migrates as you lose weight, so things do get better..

You'll find most of those folks on older boards, such as Yahoo Smartbandsters.

The band AVERAGE is 50-100lbs the first year. This all has to do with what choices you make, food-wise, the exercise you choose to do and the amount of water you are willing to get in every day. Of course, you're own metabolism plays a huge role also and any medications you take could have some effect on your weight loss also. Mostly, it's up to you and your choices.

Interesting site. Thanks for sharing. I was diagnosed with Lupus at the age of 23. My daughter was 2 yrs old and they basically told me I MIGHT live another 12 years or at the very least, I may end up in a wheelchair. That was 23 yrs ago and the only time I've ever sat in a wheelchair is if they forced me to because of hospital regulations. I certainly have had many days that I ran out of spoons, however and did have to learn early on that I had to ration mine and that some days just couldn't be spent without lying down and regrouping. Interestingly, however, the more I dwelt on the disease, the more the disease HAD ME. Today, 23 years later, I've learned that I HAVE the disease, the label, the diagnosis, but it has me no longer. Perspective is a powerful thing..

Can I hear an Amen? You go Mikey.. God DOES Rock! And I do thank Him for my band every single day.

Ditto for me too! Thanks so much for having us over! Looking forward to seeing more of the dfw group again in the future.

You're looking great Sunni! Great new avatar! Been a long time since I seen your face! Great going girl!

Ladies, just a suggestion. Make sure you wear the underclothes you'd be wearing if you wanted to try on a dressier outfit, or at least bring it with you. I know I have some dresses, slacks etc that it makes all the difference in the world, what you have on underneath them. btw, this is a note to myself, as much as anything.. Oh.. and bring photos!

In my case, that more vivacious personality got locked away somewhere behind the fat that hid who I really was. I'm by no means skinny, nor will I ever be, but I can honestly say my old personality is coming back, or maybe peeping back through with the weight that I've lost. I was extremely depressed being overweight. I hid myself away and hated myself and just knew (in my own mind) that everyone else must also. Sad, but true. Although moments of myself passed by, the heavier I was, the less of me :hippie: there was to see. It's interesting that this should come up because just last night, after Water aerobics, I came into my house after having been at work all day, then going to aerobics and my body was totally ALIVE, refreshed, rejunvenated and invigorated as well as my spirit:high5: . It was the first time in probably 25 yrs that I felt so totally alive and I was literally thanking God out loud, over and over for allowing me to get to this place. :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: